COURSE OUTLINE AND COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course will come from the material in Chapters 1 - 8 of the text.
In addition, we will be watching some of the films from the series Against
All Odds: Inside Statistics (you may use the hot link to obtain the
library call number for the films) The course outline
follows the sequence of material addressed in the course objectives.
The course objectives are building blocks. Thus, competence
for each course objective is dependent on the students understanding of
the previous objective. Upon completion of this course, the
students should be able to think critically about data, to select and use
graphical and numerical summaries, to apply standard statistical procedures,
and to draw conclusions from such analysis.
-
To understand basic
statistical symbols.
-
To be able to picture and understand the shape of a distribution (central
tendency and spread) by using a histogram
, a stemplot,
and a box
plot.
-
To understand and calculate measures of central tendency including median,
mean,
mode,
harmonic
mean, and geometric
mean, and related concepts of quartiles,
range,
z-score
and standard
deviation.
-
To understand the notion of level of measurement including concepts as
nominal,
ordinal,
interval,
ratio,
discrete,
and continuous
data
-
To understand the concept of "distribution" which includes density curves,
normal curves, the 69-95-99.7 rule and the standardization rule.
-
To understand and calculate
relative
frequencies, percentiles
and quartiles.
-
To appreciate the use of time
series analysis by understanding seasonal variations and the process
of smoothing
data (especially, Moving
Averages and Running
Medians).
-
To test and understand the concept
of independence and autocorrelation
(formula in MS Word 97, it works best by using Explorer -- not Netscape)
for time-series
analysis.
-
To understand growth patterns particularly linear and exponential
growth.
-
To be able to analyze the relationship between two variables using a scatterplot
and by adding an addition variable.
-
To be able to interpret and calculate correlation
and appreciation its relationship to regression.
-
To understand and apply the rules for establishing a causal
relationship by analyzing associations and using Simpson's
Paradox.
-
To be able to use and understand experimental
designs by comparing them to observational studies, appreciating confounding
factors, and accepting the importance of randomization.
-
To understand how complex surveys are designed and how sampling effect
distributions.
-
To understand and apply probability
rules (including the addition
and multiplication
rules). For further information see Diaconis
.
-
To understand the use of binomial
distributions and the
law of large numbers.
-
To understand the central
limit theorem.
-
To understand and calculate confidence
intervals for samples.
-
To understand the purpose of a significance
test, type
I/type
II errors, P-values,
and statistical
significance.
-
To understand and apply t-procedures
for single
and paired
comparisons.
-
To compare two means, two
samples by using the t-test.
-
To be able to produce an inference for proportions and two-way tables.
-
To understand and apply c2
test
and distribution.
-
To have the basis for understanding and producing an inference for linear
regression.
-
To understand the difference between statistical
and practical significance.
Handouts:
Exams: Open book exams will be given on the following dates:
. Each student will get immediate
feedback and will be given an opportunity to raise one's grade by ½
credit for each item that is successfully corrected. The final exam will
also provide immediate feedback and raise one's grade by a ½ credit
for each item. Students who do not complete the feedback assignment in
a timely manner will not receive full credit. Students who
do not submit corrections (including the final) will be dropped
one
letter grade for that exam. Working on the problems that were
found to have incorrect answers is an extremely important part of the learning
process. If a correct answer is mark wrong, write an explanation.
If the student is correct, the student will gain FULL credit.
Attendance Policy: Missing 6
hours
of class constitutes an F. Don't miss class, don't be late. See Program's
Attendance Policy. The good news is, students can attend either
section. Both sections cover the same material. Thus,
if you can't attend the section in which you are enrolled, you may attend
the other section and not be penalized.
Homework: Assignments from the workbook, text, collected data
other problems will be given daily. Assume that students will be given
a homework assignment every day.
Tutoring: In addition, tutoring services are available
at the UNCP campus. Contact Student
Support Services for more information.
Grading: All exams including final will receive an equal weight
which will equal a total of 90% of the final grade. The combination of
class participation and homework will equal 10% of the final grade (5%
for each) and will be used in borderline cases.
|
A 92-100
|
B 82-86
|
C 72-76
|
D 62-66
|
|
A- 90-91
|
B- 80-81
|
C- 70-71
|
D- 60-61
|
|
B+ 87-89
|
C+ 77-79
|
D+ 67-69
|
F 0-59
|
Text: The Basic Practice of Statistics (3rd Edition)
and A Study Guide for Moore’s Basic Practice of Statistics by David
S. Moore
Suggested References:
Napier,
A., Judd, P. J. & Rand, B. (2002). Mastering and Using Microsoft
Excel 2002. Boston, Thomson Learning.
Berk,
K.N. & Cary, P. (1998). Data Analysis with Microsoft Excel.
Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury.
Middleton,
M. R. (2003). Data Analysis Using Excel. Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury.
Statistical Dictionaries:
http://www.uvm.edu/~dhowell/StatPages/Fundamentals/Glossary.html,
http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/alphabet.html,
http://linkage.rockefeller.edu/wli/glossary/stat.html,
http://www.oswego.edu/~kane/econometrics/glossaries.htm,
http://www.xrefer.com/search.jsp
Calculator Recommentation: In my experience, I found that the
Sharp Corporation offers the best Scientific Calculators. One
way of testing a calculator is by finding the square of -5.
If your answer is -25, don't purchase the calculator. A list
of features for good calculators for this course can be found at: Scientific
Calculators. If you click on the gold ">>" sign, you'll
get detailed information about special features. If you would
like to find a calculator with special features click here: Special
Features.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is
requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor,
as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible. All
discussions will remain confidential. Please contact
Disability
Support Services, DF Lowry Building, 910-521-6695.
Cell Phone Policy: Students are not permitted
to conduct phone conversations during class time. Students are not
permitted to have cell ring during class time. Students who
use conduct a phone conversation or allow their phones to ring during class
time will be drop 10 points on the next quiz or 5 points for their final
exam. During an exam, phones and hand held computers are not
permitted in the room.